Sleep Is Precious and Priceless

“I think of you through the watches of the night because you are my help.”

After three full, long days at a camp, the 75-year-old body was ready for sleep. I slept 12 hours in one day. Gratitude was my attitude.

Each year millions upon millions of dollars are spent on sleeping aids. Sleep is vital.

Here are three of my practices for sleeping well:

1. Breathing deeply slows the mind and heart down. Breathe in positive thoughts, breathe out negative thoughts.
2. Quote scripture or a poem over and over.
3. Pray for people.

Wendell Berry’s poem touches me deeply as I lie on my bed. I hope it comforts you as well.

THE PEACE OF WILD THINGS

When despair for the world grows in me

and I wake in the night at the least sound

in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,

I go and lie down where the wood drake

rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things

who do not tax their lives with forethought

of grief. I come into the presence of still water.

And I feel above me the day-blind stars

waiting with their light. For a time

I rest in the grace of the world and am free.